MUMBAI: US broadcast network TNT held its upfront presentation for advertisers a few days ago at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Turner Entertainment Group president by Mark Lazarus spoke about his vision of a One Television World.
In this scenario, the dividing lines between broadcast and cable have been permanently erased. This will allow all networks to compete for viewers and ad dollars on an equal playing field. "In this One Television World our distinct brands are resonating more than ever. Our networks have the ability to reach millions of targeted viewers that advertisers crave and touch them on an emotional level, whether it is through the tension of drama on TNT or the release of laughter on TBS."
TNT announced development on three new original movies. One of the films is Pleading Guilty. It is based on the bestselling novel by Scott Turow. The story follows Mack Malloy, an ex-cop and recovering alcoholic now serving as a partner in a top-drawer corporate law firm. After one of the firm's maverick partners suddenly disappears with $5.6 million belonging to the firm's most important client, the other partners turn to Malloy to track down the culprit before the scandal goes public.
Another original movie in development is Avenger. It based on a novel by legendary author Frederick Forsyth The Day Of The Jackal. This international thriller, executive-produced by director Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm, Troy) for his Radiant Productions, is a co-production between TNT and Warner Bros. Television. It tells the story of a small-town lawyer and former Special Forces operative who hires himself out to those seeking to avenge the violent murders of loved ones.
As far as original shows are concerned one of them is The Closer. TNT's original series deals with a female police detective who moves from Atlanta to Los Angeles to head up a special unit of the LAPD charged with investigating high-profile crimes. At the presentation actress Kyra Sedgwick took the stage to talk about the series and her emotional connection to the character she plays.
TNT will also come out with a six-week television event Into The West, from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg. This epic saga chronicles the opening of the American West from both the settlers and Native Americans points of view. The series stars Simon Baker, Skeet Ulrich, Tonantzin Carmelo, Rachael Leigh Cook, Michael Spears, Daniel Gillies and Irene Bedard. All of them were on hand at the presentation to offer their personal insights on the project.
